Sex size and shape differences in the lacertid community (Podarcisspp. andArchaeolacertasp.) from the Lake Skadar region (Montenegro)

Sexual dimorphism of skull shape in a lacertid lizard species (Podarcis spp., Dalmatolacerta sp., Dinarolacerta sp.) revealed by geometric morphometrics

“…observ. ) Pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size that has been previously demonstrated in all four analysed species (Ljubisavljević et al, 2008;Aleksić et al, 2009) as well as interspecific differences in body shape and habitat use provide an opportunity to explore patterns of allometric variation between sexes.…”

“…The analysed species belong to three different genera whose phylogenetic relationships are largely unresolved (Pavlicev and Mayer, 2009). Although all four analysed species belong to the phylogenetically and morphologically relatively homogeneous group of lacertid lizards (Arnold et al, 2007), they differ in body shape (the dorsoventrally flattened morphotypes of D. oxycephala and D. mosorensis versus the cylindric, deep-headed morphotypes of the Podarcis species), microhabitat use (saxicolous Dinarolacerta and Dalmatolacerta occupying the "vertical" microhabitats versus more generalistic Podarcis species occupying the terrestrial, vegetated "horizontal" microhabitats, Aleksić et al, 2009) and life-history traits (see Bejaković et al, 1995Bejaković et al, , 1996aLjubisavljević et al, 2007). P. melisellensis and D. oxycephala have been documented to be food generalists with largely overlapping prey size, habitat ranges, and diets that match the abundance of prey in the environment (Verwaijen et al, 2002).…”

Variation in skull size and shape of the Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis): allometric and non-allometric shape changes

“…The question is why the populations that share habitat with P. melisellensis differ in skull shape? The microhabitat shift between P. muralis and P. melisellensis in habitats where these species occur together is well documented (Arnold, 1987;Aleksić et al, 2009). Both species tend to be habitat generalists.…”

“…Populations from the Zeta (mainland) and Malo Beško (island) share their habitat with P. melisellensis. In places where the two species occur in the same habitat, P. melisellensis is more terrestrial than P. muralis and opts for horizontal, vegetated microhabitats (Džukić, 1977;Arnold, 1987;Aleksić et al, 2009). More detailed information on the samples and localities was published earlier (Bejaković et al, 1996;Aleksić et al, 2009;Urošević et al, 2012).…”

Editorial

“…Aleksić et al (2009) report on a case in which Rensch's Rule does not rule size differences between sexes in a lizard community in Montenegro.…”